‏ Genesis 27

Genesis 27:1-5: Rebekah's Contrivance

This passage begins the story of Isaac planning to bless Esau before he dies. Isaac wanted to pass on the family blessing, which included the promise of the Messiah and the land of Canaan. He decided to give this important blessing to Esau, his oldest son, even though God had already said the younger son, Jacob, would be greater (Genesis 25:23 ^a). Isaac was influenced by tradition and his personal feelings, rather than fully following God’s revealed plan. This sets the stage for Rebekah’s plan to help Jacob receive the blessing instead (Genesis 27:1-5 ^b).

v. 1: Isaac was old and nearly blind. He called for Esau, his oldest son, to come to him. This shows Isaac was thinking about the future and wanted to make decisions before he died .

v. 2: Isaac explained to Esau that he was old and did not know when he would die. This reminded him to do important things while he still could (Genesis 27:2; Joshua 13:1 ^c).

v. 3: Isaac told Esau to get his hunting gear, go out to the field, and hunt wild game for him. Isaac wanted Esau to show his respect and love by bringing him food he enjoyed .

v. 4: Isaac asked Esau to prepare a special meal, the way he liked it, and bring it to him. Isaac wanted to eat the meal first, then give Esau his blessing before he died. This blessing was very important because it included God’s promises to their family .

v. 5: Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau. After Esau left to hunt, Rebekah began to act on her own plan. This verse sets up what Rebekah will do next .

Genesis 27:6-17: Rebekah’s Plan for Jacob

This passage describes how Rebekah created a plan to help Jacob receive the blessing that Isaac wanted to give to Esau. Rebekah remembered God’s promise that the older son would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23 ^d), so she wanted to make sure Jacob was blessed. However, she chose to use deception instead of asking Isaac directly or trusting God to work things out. Her actions show that even when our goal is right, it is important to use honest and faithful means. God still used this situation to fulfill His plan, showing that He can bring good even from human mistakes (Job 12:16 ^e).

v. 6: Rebekah told Jacob that she had heard Isaac ask Esau to bring him wild meat and receive a blessing before he died (Genesis 27:6-7 ^f).

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v. 8: Rebekah told Jacob to listen to her instructions and do exactly as she said. She wanted him to follow her plan, even though it involved tricking Isaac .

v. 9: She told Jacob to bring two young goats from the flock so she could prepare a special meal that Isaac loved .

v. 10: Rebekah’s plan was for Jacob to take the food to Isaac, pretend to be Esau, and get the blessing from his father before Isaac died .

v. 11: Jacob was worried that Esau was hairy and he was smooth-skinned. He feared Isaac would touch him and realize he was not Esau .

v. 12: Jacob was afraid that if Isaac discovered the trick, he would think Jacob was a deceiver and give him a curse instead of a blessing (Genesis 27:12; Deuteronomy 27:18 ^g).

v. 13: Rebekah told Jacob not to worry and said, “Let your curse be on me, my son. Just do what I say.” This was a very bold and risky promise .

v. 14: Jacob obeyed his mother, brought her the goats, and Rebekah made the food just the way Isaac liked it .

v. 15: Rebekah took Esau’s best clothes, which she had at home, and put them on Jacob to help him look and smell like Esau .

v. 16: She put the skins of the young goats on Jacob’s hands and neck so he would feel hairy like Esau .

v. 17: Rebekah handed Jacob the prepared food and bread so he could take them to Isaac and carry out the plan .

Genesis 27:18-29: The Fraud of Jacob

This passage tells how Jacob, following his mother Rebekah’s plan, deceived his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau. Jacob lied several times and even used God’s name to make his story sound true. Isaac was suspicious but was finally convinced by what he could feel, smell, and taste. In the end, Isaac gave Jacob a very important blessing, which included promises of wealth, power, and special favor from God. Even though Jacob’s actions were wrong, God still used these events to fulfill His promise that the older brother would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23 ^h). This story warns us about the dangers of dishonesty but also shows that God’s plans cannot be stopped by human mistakes (Genesis 27:18-29 ⁱ).

v. 18: Jacob came to Isaac and called him “my father.” Isaac responded and asked who was speaking, since he could not see well .

v. 19: Jacob lied and said, “I am Esau your firstborn.” He told Isaac he had done as he was asked and asked him to eat the food so he could bless him .

v. 20: Isaac was surprised at how quickly the food had been found. Jacob explained that the Lord had helped him, using God’s name in his lie .

v. 21: Isaac was still unsure, so he asked Jacob to come closer so he could feel him and check if he really was Esau .

v. 22: As Isaac felt Jacob’s hands, he noticed the voice was Jacob’s, but the hands were hairy like Esau’s. He was confused but did not recognize the trick .

v. 23: Isaac could not tell the difference because of the goat skins on Jacob’s hands. So, he decided to bless him, thinking he was Esau .

v. 24: Isaac asked one more time if Jacob was really Esau, and Jacob lied again, saying, “I am” .

v. 25: Isaac told Jacob to bring the food closer so he could eat it before giving the blessing. Jacob served his father both food and wine .

v. 26: Isaac asked Jacob to come near and kiss him. This was a sign of special affection before the blessing .

v. 27: Jacob came close and kissed Isaac. Isaac smelled Esau’s clothes on Jacob and was convinced. He blessed Jacob, saying he smelled like a field the Lord had blessed .

v. 28: Isaac blessed Jacob, asking God to give him dew from heaven, rich crops, and plenty of food and drink .

v. 29: Isaac also blessed Jacob with power—saying people and nations would serve him, and that he would be master over his family. Isaac said those who cursed Jacob would be cursed, and those who blessed him would be blessed. This blessing included the promise of the Messiah and the future church (Genesis 27:29; Numbers 24:19 ^j; Genesis 49:10; Genesis 12:3 ^k; Genesis 28:4; Numbers 24:9 ^l).

Genesis 27:30-40: The Blessing Pronounced on Jacob and Esau

This passage describes what happened right after Jacob received the blessing from Isaac by pretending to be Esau. Esau returned and discovered the deception. He was heartbroken and begged his father for a blessing, but Isaac could not take back what he had already given to Jacob. Isaac confirmed that Jacob would keep the main blessing, and Esau would only receive a lesser one. This story shows the seriousness of spiritual blessings and the consequences of despising them. It also teaches that God’s plans will be fulfilled, even when people act wrongly (Genesis 27:30-40 ^m).

v. 30: As soon as Isaac finished blessing Jacob and Jacob left, Esau came in from hunting .

v. 31: Esau prepared food and brought it to Isaac, asking for his father’s blessing .

v. 32: Isaac was confused and asked who he was. Esau answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau” .

v. 33: Isaac trembled greatly when he realized he had been tricked. He told Esau that someone else had already brought him food and received the blessing—and that the blessing would stand .

v. 34: When Esau heard this, he cried out with great bitterness and begged his father to bless him too (Genesis 27:34; Hebrews 12:17 ⁿ).

v. 35: Isaac explained that Jacob had come with trickery and taken Esau’s blessing .

v. 36: Esau complained that Jacob had cheated him twice—first by taking his birthright, and now by taking his blessing. He asked Isaac if there was any blessing left for him .

v. 37: Isaac told Esau that he had made Jacob lord over him and given him all the blessings of wealth and power. Isaac asked what he could possibly give Esau now .

v. 38: Esau begged again for a blessing and wept loudly. He wanted even a small blessing from his father .

v. 39: Isaac finally gave Esau a blessing, saying he would live away from the richness of the earth and the dew of heaven .

v. 40: Isaac said Esau would live by the sword and serve his brother, but one day he would break free from Jacob’s control. This blessing was much less than what Jacob received and did not include the promises of God’s covenant (Genesis 27:40; 2 Kings 8:20,22 ^o).

Genesis 27:41-46: Jacob's Life Threatened by Esau

This passage tells how Esau became very angry and wanted to kill Jacob after losing his father’s blessing. Rebekah learned about Esau’s plan and acted quickly to protect Jacob. She advised Jacob to leave home and stay with her family until Esau’s anger cooled down. Rebekah also convinced Isaac that Jacob needed to find a wife from their own relatives, not from the Canaanites. This story shows how jealousy and hatred can lead to danger, but also how God’s plans are protected even in difficult situations (Genesis 27:41-46 ^p).

v. 41: Esau hated Jacob because Jacob had received the blessing. Esau planned in his heart to kill Jacob after their father died. His anger was deep and cruel, like the hatred Cain had for Abel (Genesis 27:41; Genesis 4:8 ^q).

v. 42: Someone told Rebekah about Esau’s plan. She warned Jacob that Esau was comforting himself by thinking about killing him .

v. 43: Rebekah told Jacob to obey her and run away to her brother Laban in Haran for safety .

v. 44: She said Jacob should stay there for a while until Esau’s anger passed .

v. 45: Rebekah hoped Esau would forget his anger over time. She promised to send for Jacob when it was safe. She did not want to lose both sons in one day, either through murder or punishment .

v. 46: Rebekah spoke to Isaac and said she did not want Jacob to marry a Canaanite woman. She used this reason to persuade Isaac to send Jacob away, instead of telling him about Esau’s plan. She wanted to protect Jacob from both danger and bad influences (Genesis 27:46 ^r).